Changeable character sign



1 "MYZVQQ T928.

L. D. FARRIS CHANGEABLE CHARACTER SIGN Filed July 20, 1927 INVENTOR l By Attorney JM E Patented May 29, 1928'.

4urn'rnn STATES 1 LUCIAN D. FARMS, or'nnoNx, NEW YORK. y

CHANQEABLE CHARACTER SIGN.

" Applemany inea July 2o,

The' present invention relates to changeable character signs, and more specifically to such signs having more than one `row oli characters, and aims to provide certain iin-` provements therein. i

An object of the invention is to providean improved advertising sign of the general type employed by theatres either `in Afront or ot current or 'future attractions.

Another objectief theinvention to provide a sign ofthe type described so constructed as to bc equally well adapted for use 'with opaque or transluct-nit characters andwherein the insertion, removal or change `within the lobby thereof to displaythe titles of the charactcrscnn be accon'lplisl'ied with,

greatf'tacility and little expenditure of time.

A still further object of` the invention is to provide a sign of the type described \vhere ineach character although formed on a fiat eleinentor blank will when niounted in the sign be draped with an independent trame and 'thereby add greatly to the e'tfectivencss ott-he sign asa whole.

'lhe'foregoing and other objects of the invention I accomplish by forming the sign with amain frame having one ormore rows of character receiving and supporting means and asupplemental` frame likewise having character reccivingand supporting means, both ofsaid frames `being adapted tohave the characters insertable into and removable from the top of the row in "which they are placed from in F'front of the sign. The suppleinental 'frame is made movable relatively tothe face of the main frame whereby access may be had to said supl'ilemental vframe for the purpose set forth. Preferably, the relative movement between the supplemental frame and the main frame is'provided by hingedly mounting the former upony the latter so that the supplemental frame may be swung out of the plane ot the main frame.

i The invention also includes other featureso't novelty which will be hereinafter more fully described. i i An embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein: p Figure l is afront elevation ofthe sign. "Fig, 2 is a transverse section taken along the line 2*-2 of Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is a greatly enlarged view correspent ingto Fig. Q, showing the relative positions ofthe Atrames at the time of changing the ycharacters therein.

V1927. serial No. 207,237.

Fig. 4 is a section taken alongthe line of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, let A indicate the main frame of the sign, which frame lconsists of top and bottom horizontalelements or rails B, andthe upright elements or Stiles C. Extending across the frame mid way between the rails B is a supplemental rail D, which 'divides the frame into two sections or panelsv of equal dimensions. The frameA may be of any construction and inaterial and preferably is formed of wood, thefront face of which may be ornamented to give it a pleasing appearance.

Mounted atthe rear of the upper `panel `of the frame A are means for receiving and holding the removable character bearing elements or blanks E in juxtaposition so as to be visible from the front of the panel. These means comprise a supporting member' F mounted at the rear of the rail D which serves as the supporting base for said elements E, horizontally extending strips GG secured respectively tothe back of the top rail B and intermediate rail D and equally spaced I`elements H secured to the strips G so as to provide slideways` for accommodating the elements E.

Connected to the lower rear edge of `the frame A by hinges `J is a supplemental `trame K formed of horizontal strips G', G' and I-elements H corresponding in dimensions and varrangement with the elements G G and H respectively of the upper panel o the main frame'and adapted to also receive vand hold character bearing elements or blanks E. "lhe supplemental frame K is of a size to substantially coincide with vthe lower panel of the main frame so that when in contact with the rear face/of said panel it .will support theelements `E in a plane l common to the plane ofsaidelements mounted at the rear of the upper panel. Preferably, the means for holding the `elements E `are conveniently made of sheet metal, 'although bar, rolled stock, wood or the like may ,be used. may be reinforced at its up er and lower edges by angle elements M, Ivi ,and suitable means such is a latch carried by the sup-` porting member F may be employed to `hold face of the main frame A.

The frame A may be mounted nr any con-` venient manner so as to provide access to the supplemental frame K against the rear The supplemental frame K its rear in order to insert or remove the elements E therefrom, As herein shown, Said frame is mounted upon a metallic casing O by means of hinges P connecting the lower edge ofthe frame to thelower edge of the casing in a manner such that the frame A may be swung outwardly from the casing. A chain Q or otherl suitable means may he employed to limit such outward movement. 1also, any suitable means may be employed to hold the frame A in its vertical or upright position within the angular flanged portion o of the casing O.

lfVhere the character' beariiv elements E are of an opaque nature, it wil be apparent that a casing such as() ma be dispensed with and the trame inounte directly upon a molding` orI the like. Howeverywhere the elements E are of a. translucent character so that they may stand forth clearly when viewed from in lront of a source of light, the casing O is conveniently provided with a plurality Vot elect-ric lamps or bulbs R.

l/Vhen it is desired to change the wording of the sign to announce a change in the program the main frame A is swung outwardly in front ofthe signas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to its limit ol' movement controlled by the chain Q, the latchv N is released and the supplemental frame K than moved rearwardly toward the casing O as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. The trames A andfK in these angular relative positions permit the ready withdrawal and reinsertion oi' the elements E from the top ot' the respective frames to provide the Change in the announcement desired to be made. When ythe change has been made the traine K is again moved mitwardly against the 'trame Auand latchedthereto and the frame A in turn is returned to its upright position against the front of the casing O and there hitched,

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a changeable character sign possessing all the advantages and accomplishing the numerous objects hereinbeiiore Vset forth, and although said descriptionand drawings make reference to a preferred embodiment ot my invention I desire it to be understood that modifications oit the specific structure describedinay be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is: A

1. A changeable character signl comprising a -franie divided into two superposed horizontal panels, means carried by the frame for holding character bearing elements or blanks in juxtaposition in a coinmon plane to bo visible from the front of the panels, said means being disposed in two rows corresponding to the panels in the frame, one of said rows of holding means being supported by a supplemental frame which is hingcdly mounted on the main frame and adapted to be moved angularly relatively thereto the other row of holding means being supported by means carried by the main frame and forming a closure for the top of the supplemental frame when the rows are in superposed relation, and character bearing eleinentsor blanks insertable into and removable from any of the rows in the frame through the top of Said row when the Ytraine and supplemental frameare angularly disposed relatively to each other.

2. A `changeable character sign. .comprising a main frame divided into two super.- posed horizontal panels, a supplemental traine carried by and relatively movable to the main frame and of substantially the same size as one ofv the panels, means carried by each of the frames for holding character bearing elements or blanks in jux taposition to be visible from the fl'Ollt of the panels, the supporting means for the character bearing elements of `the u per frame providing a closure for the top o the lower frame lwhen said frames al in superposed relation and uncovering the top 0f said lower framewhen said frames are disposed relatively to each other, nd character bearing elements or blanks insertable into and removable from either frame through thev top thereof when the main frame and supplemental frame are disposed relatively to each other. i Y i A changeable character sign comprising a support, a main frame hingedly mounted at its loweredge to said support and adapted to swing outwardly in lfront of said support, a supplemental frame carried by said main frame and hingedly connected at its lower edge to the lower rear edge of the main frame and adapted to swing rear wardly toward the support when the main frame is in its outwardly swung position, said main frame being divided into two auf perposed horizontal panels, the lower of which substantially coincides with the Supw plemental frame and meanS at'the rear of said 'frames for supporting character be. ing elements in a manner to be visible from the front of the panels, the sup opting means` fior the character bearing eements visible through the upper panel' normally providing a closure for the top of the Supplemental frame, which top is uncovered when the supplemental frame is swung on its hinge relatively to the main frame,

In witness whereof, I have. hereunto signed my name.

LUGIAN I). FARRIS. 

